Load detector, load detection kit, and load detection system

Abstract

There is provided a load detector including: first and second beam-type load cells which are supported on first and second support bases, respectively, in a cantilever manner; a placement part on which a rolling body is to be placed, and which includes first and second connection parts connected to the first and second beam-type load cells, respectively, and a pair of walls, the placement part being disposed between the first and second beam-type load cells; and a restriction member which is detachably attached to at least one of the pair of walls, and which is configured to restrict a posture of the rolling body on the placement part. The first connection part is connected to the first beam-type load cell on a side of the free end and the second connection part is connected to the second beam-type load cell on a side of the free end.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A load detector, comprising:
 a first load cell which is supported on a first support base in a cantilever manner to have a free end; 
 a second load cell which is disposed to face the first load cell and which is supported on a second support base in a cantilever manner to have a free end; 
 a placement part on which a rolling body is to be placed, and which includes a first connection part connected to the first load cell, a second connection part connected to the second load cell, and a pair of walls, the placement part being disposed between the first load cell and the second load cell; and 
 a restriction member which is detachably attached to at least one of the pair of walls of the placement part, and which is configured to restrict a posture of the rolling body on the placement part, 
 wherein the free end of the first load cell and the free end of the second load cell face opposite directions to each other in an extending direction of the first load cell, and 
 the first connection part of the placement part is connected to the first load cell on a side of the free end of the first load cell and the second connection part of the placement part is connected to the second load cell on a side of the free end of the second load cell. 
 
     
     
       2. The load detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the restriction member includes a pair of restriction parts; and
 the pair of restriction parts are detachably attached to the pair of walls, respectively. 
 
     
     
       3. The load detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the restriction member has a restriction surface configured to restrict the posture of the rolling body. 
     
     
       4. The load detector according to  claim 1 , wherein the placement part has a placement plate on which the rolling body is to be placed and a slope which is configured to guide the rolling body onto the placement plate; and
 the slope is swingable about a predetermined swing axis between a first position at which a forward end of the slope makes contact with an installation surface having the load detector installed thereon, and a second position at which the forward end is separated away from the installation surface. 
 
     
     
       5. The load detector according to  claim 4 , further comprising a lever which extends from the slope to an opposite side of the forward end with respect to the swing axis of the slope so as to be located above the placement plate. 
     
     
       6. A load detection kit comprising:
 a load detector configured to detect a load of a subject including a rolling body; and 
 a plurality of restriction members which are selectively used depending on a width of the rolling body, 
 the load detector including: 
 a first load cell which is supported on a first support base in a cantilever manner to have a free end; 
 a second load cell which is disposed to face the first load cell and which is supported on a second support base in a cantilever manner to have a free end; and 
 a placement part on which a rolling body is to be placed, and which includes a first connection part connected to the first load cell, a second connection part connected to the second load cell, and a pair of walls, the placement part being disposed between the first load cell and the second load cell, 
 wherein the free end of the first load cell and the free end of the second load cell face opposite directions to each other in an extending direction of the first load cell, and 
 the first connection part of the placement part is connected to the first load cell on a side of the free end of the first load cell and the second connection part of the placement part is connected to the second load cell on a side of the free end of the second load cell; 
 wherein the plurality of restriction members include at least a first restriction member and a second restriction member; and 
 one of the first restriction member and the second restriction member is detachably attached to at least one of the pair of walls of the placement part so as to restrict a posture of the rolling body on the placement part. 
 
     
     
       7. The load detection kit according to  claim 6 , wherein each of the first restriction member and the second restriction member has a pair of restriction parts; and
 the pair of restriction parts are detachably attached to the pair of walls, respectively. 
 
     
     
       8. A load detection system configured to detect a load of a human subject on a bed, the system comprising:
 a plurality of load detectors each of which is the load detector as defined in  claim 1 , each of the plurality of load detectors being disposed under each of the legs of the bed; and 
 a controller which is connected to the plurality of load detectors and which is configured to calculate the load of the human subject based on an output of the load detector.